CBS’ The Stand adds cast members, gets new ending from Stephen King

CBS is adapting Stephen King’s The Stand — his longest single novel and still among his most beloved — as a 10-part miniseries for its CBS All Access streaming service. The story, about a virus that wipes out 99% of the world’s population and leaves the survivors to play out a battle between good and evil — is a good one, full of rich characters and twists aplenty. We know that the age-defying James Marsden will play grizzled Texan Stu Redman, the role played by Gary “Lieutenant Dan” Sinise when ABC adapted the book back in the ’90s. Now, CBS has invited a few more to the post-apocalyptic party.

First, we’ve got Amber Heard, who made a splash (I’m so sorry) as Mera in Aquaman last year. She’ll be playing Nadine Cross, a private school teacher who finds herself strangely drawn to Randall Flagg, the book’s demonic, denim-wearing villain. (No word on who’s playing him yet.) Nadine was probably the character who made the biggest impression on me from the 1994 miniseries, so here’s hoping Heard does a good job with her.

Yeah, that’s probably due for an update.

Meanwhile, Odessa Young (Assassination Nation) will play Frannie Goldsmith, a cheery, pregnant 22-year-old student; while Henry Zaga (13 Reasons Why) will take on the role Nick Andros, a deaf-mute who marshals together members of the living and brings them to meet Mother Abagail, a saintly figure who gathers together the “good” survivors of the plague and helps them set up a new community in Boulder, Colorado. Naturally, the “evil” survivors gather in Las Vegas, because where else would they go?

Rumor has it that Whoopi Goldberg may play Mother Abigail, although there’s no firm word on that yet. Whoever gets cast, they’ll all get to play out a brand new ending to the story. According to Deadline, Stephen King himself is writing the last episode of the show, and is prepping “a new coda that won’t be found in the book.” Quoth CBS All Access EVP Julie McNamara on the Television Critics Association summer press tour:

"For fans of the book who have wondered what became of the survivors of the stand, this episode will contain a story that takes us beyond the book to answer those questions. A continuation to The Stand; we can’t wait to share that with the world."

Apparently, the coda will pick up right after the end of the original novel, and it isn’t a little tag at the end but rather a meaty part of the finale. Per Deadline, the opportunity to write a continuation may have been part of what brought King on board the project.

RELATED PRODUCT

New York Mets Game Of Thrones Night King Bobblehead

Buy Now!

Buy Now!

There’s no release date for The Stand yet, but it’s looking pretty interesting. King is going through a serious renaissance right now, with IT: Chapter Two ready to pack people into theaters and Stranger Things basically being a glorified love letter to his work, so the time is definitely ripe to revisit The Stand.

To stay up to date on everything fantasy, science fiction, and WiC, follow our all-encompassing Facebook page and sign up for our exclusive newsletter.

Watch Game of Thrones for FREE with a no-risk, 7-day free trial of Amazon Channels

h/t The A.V. Club